Satellite internet is one of the best internet options market-wide in terms of availability, connectivity, and decent speeds. Naturally, having it raises the question: Does satellite internet fulfil my needs? To answer this, a number of factors need to be considered, and only then you can determine whether it’s a right fit for you or not.
How Satellite Internet Works
Here’s a brief explanation of the works of satellite internet:
A signal is initially sent from the modem through the connected device. This signal goes to the attached dish in your home, which, in turn, sends it to the respective satellite orbiting around the Earth. That satellite then returns the data in the form of the internet to the device. Sounds quite simple, right?
A router is generally required in the setup that transmits the Wi-Fi signals in a closed vicinity, which can be used by various connected devices.
Benefits of Having a Satellite Internet
Although the internet speeds offered by satellite internet can easily be countered by cable and fiber net options, the former still has its own areas where it outshines the latter. If you fall under these metrics, then satellite might be a good fit for you:
- You Live in Rural Environments
This might be the biggest perk of satellite internet. It is available where other internet options fail to perform. If you live in a rural setting, there is a high probability that the local infrastructure would not support other modes of high-speed connectivity like DSL and Fiber.
Satellite internet can be lifesaving in this regard. With coast-to-coast internet services available, you can land a dependable and affordable satellite internet deal from a number of providers.
- You Need On-the-Go Connectivity
For people relying on mobile connectivity, carrying your internet package around with you could be quite a nuisance. Satellite internet options can be very beneficial in such scenarios due to multiple reasons.
Firstly, its range is far superior, so there is a chance that even if you are roaming around the countryside in your RV, you can still receive a satellite internet connection, easily. Secondly, satellite service providers often offer mobile contracts that allow you to move around with your satellite internet.
One downside here is that a fixed satellite dish is much stronger than a portable one, so your internet speeds will drop, but you can still perform routine surfing activities with that.
- If Dial-Up or DSL are Your Only Options
Satellite internet might cost more than your average dial-up connection, but it is significantly superior to it as well. High-speed satellite internet can offer up to 100 Mbps which is sufficient for your routine online tasks. It often outperforms DSL networks as well.
In addition, you don’t need to worry about wiring issues and declining aesthetics with satellite internet, which is an added benefit. Again, you might have to pay more than your current dial-up connection, but that investment will be worth it.
Downsides of Satellite Internet
Now that we have discussed scenarios where satellite internet works well, let us also highlight instances when having satellite internet would be a bad call for you:
- If Internet Speeds Matter To You
If you are into extensive streaming and online gaming activities, then satellite is not the right option for you.
Generally, the speeds offered by satellite cannot match those offered by faster alternatives like fiber internet. A vast majority of users want access to high-definition streaming services; therefore, satellite internet’s attractiveness gets restricted to a niche.
- Latency issues
Latency is the time it takes data to transmit and then received by a device. Satellite internet unfortunately doesn’t offer low latency, which can be quite a nuisance, especially for people who enjoy online gaming. This gaming isn’t just restricted to a certain platform; rather, latency/ping issues arise across all platforms when it comes to satellite internet.
The weather is another issue in this regard; the air, being the medium for transfer, can easily be affected and the signals distorted. This becomes an even bigger issue when there is bad weather, so satellite internet connection is massively impacted.
Final Verdict
Your decision needs to be based on the need scenario. If your profile and usage highlight satellite internet as a good option, you should go for it. However, if your requirements are more skewed towards the demanding end, you should avoid going for a satellite connection.
